Review on LEGO International Station Birthday Building Set by Todd Nordine

Didn't even know this kit existed a month ago. I've always thought ISS was really cool so when I stumbled across this set I bought it. I bought the Megabloks Starship Enterprise set about 3 years ago which is an absolute monster and took me a week to build and it was the first set I've built since. After a few days, the build is actually a lot easier than it looks, since you're doing dozens of small builds, one at a time, each with no more than 5 or 6 steps. The set is divided into 6 numbered packs and the instructions clearly tell you when you've finished one pack and it's time to open the next, further simplifying the building process while reducing the number of parts. lying around / looking for details. It's quite a large set when made, and quite a "spindle" (like the real ISS). It's more of a showpiece than a child's toy as many of the smaller modules and antennas/dishes are quite delicate and easy to remove. It features movable solar arrays and Canada's semi-articulating arm, as well as a docking station that can dock with two included micro-scale spacecraft (Space-X Dragon Capsule, Boeing Starliner, NASA Space Shuttle). Technically there is a fourth, the Russian Soyuz capsule, docked aft as an emergency rescue pod). Each decor element is printed on the products themselves, eliminating the need for stickers. All in all a great set and a quality looking piece. My only complaint, and a small one, is that the included micro spaceships are too small compared to the station itself. The included shuttle needs to be twice the size to properly scale with the station. Still, it looks great and I'm glad I have it. However, my wallets are not happy because I just ordered a Saturn V kit, Lunar Lander kit and NASA Women kit. I hope they do a big shuttle again soon because the price for the last one is now "heaven" (dad joke).